by Elaine Goggin
As someone who has re-read the, now iconic, book ‘Focusing’ by Eugene Gendlin many times as I prepare for my classes you might ask why I would like to attend this monthly reading group, led by the wonderful Mary Jennings and team. But there is something about that word ‘Freshly’ that really appeals to me. It implies reading it as if you are reading it for the first time, like all cobwebs and assumptions have been cleared out to allow for a new openness to what else might come and deepen your understanding of Focusing.
There is also something stimulating about it being slowly read to you, it’s like you can hear the words differently. In this Focusing environment it feels like you have time and space to truly take in the words and sense in that particular moment how they land and interact with your inner environment. There is something very nourishing about being in that moment with that particular phrase or word. It allows you the space to pause and reflect. So rather than ‘knowing’ what it means in terms of the whole book and Focusing, you can take the word/phrase explore what it means in that instance.
Being online with people from all over the world is very special, I have attended all 3 offerings so far and each month I have met different people in the breakout rooms where we have the opportunity to discuss what has touched us or you can discuss something that you had a curiosity about. Each time I have had different experiences but each equally as wonderful.
The best way I can describe this experience is what it is like Focusing on your own or Focusing with a partner. Yes, you can do Focusing on your own but having the presence of someone else to listen and hold space with you can be far more transformative. This for me is similar, of course you can read the book on your own and get so much from it but reading it together with the diversity that the International Focusing Institute offers it provides something more. After the breakout rooms there is space to share with the wider group and possibly ask questions. With over 50 attending these meetings it is always fascinating how stories, words or phrases can be perceived by people and sometimes open a curiosity in you, a new edge of something.
The next meeting is on January 9th at 7pm Irish time and I am looking forward to exploring this further. It is free for all TIFI members but you do need to register which you can do so here: https://focusing.org/event/reading-freshly-2.
You will also find the other dates throughout the year. In January we are starting with Chapter 3 'What the Body Knows'. Definitely a one I’m looking forward to. Thank you to Mary and all the volunteers who create and hold the space for this exploration.
